Bicycles & Scooters on Campus
All bicycles and scooters on campus must be registered with the Public Safety Department and display a current St. Olaf bicycle permit (there is not a separate scooter permit). These permits are issued to students, faculty, and staff at no charge.
Once your bicycle or scooter is registered, you will receive instructions via email on where to pick up your permit. Bicycles and scooters failing to display a bicycle permit may be impounded.
Bicyclists and Scooter operators must adhere to all traffic control devices while operated on public streets and campus roadways. All riders should wear a helmet and have a full set of reflectors on their bicycle or scooter. You must have a headlight on your bicycle or scooter if you are riding between sunset and sunrise.
All bicyclists and scooter operators shall yield to pedestrians at all times and maintain a reasonable distance from vehicles, buildings and people. If operating on a sidewalk, it is the responsibility of the rider to be safe, stay in control of their bicycle or scooter at all times, not impede or endanger pedestrians and not operate recklessly.
All bicycles and scooters must be parked in bike racks or areas designated specifically for bicycles to avoid interfering with vehicle traffic, pedestrian traffic and snow removal efforts. Bicycles and scooters must not be chained to handicap ramps, light poles, handrails, bus shelters, public seating fixtures, fences, trash receptacles, trees or parked in spaces provided for motor vehicles. The College is not responsible for stolen bicycles and scooters or bicycles and scooters damaged due to vandalism or grounds maintenance efforts. Bicycles may only be brought into your residence hall room or placed in storage only per residence life storage policies. Electric scooters are prohibited inside of buildings and residence halls.
Bicycle and scooter theft can be a problem on all college campuses. Registration of your bicycle or scooter will help in the recovery if it is stolen. Additional steps you can take to protect your investment include:
- always locking your bike or scooter to a bike rack when not in use
- using a “U” lock to secure it to the rack
- using a cable lock in addition to a U lock if your bike has quick release wheels
- taking your bike seat to your room when not in use
If you believe your bicycle or scooter has been stolen or impounded, contact Public Safety at 3666. Public Safety only investigates thefts of bicycles or scooters that have been registered with the college and locked up prior to the theft.
Public Safety is authorized by College policy to impound a bicycle or scooter if it:
- is parked in a manner that creates a safety hazard
- is damaging College property
- is secured to any item other than a designated bike rack
- has been reported stolen to any law enforcement agency or
- hampers the access to or use of any college facility
- appears abandoned
If a locking device must be removed to impound a bicycle or scooter, Public Safety may remove the securing device using whatever reasonable means are necessary. The College is not responsible for any damage to the locking device or for its replacement.
Unlicensed bicycles and scooters left undisturbed in racks or other areas for seven days or more may be treated as abandoned and may be impounded. Bicycles and scooters will be posted with a notice for seven days prior to impoundment.
Registered bicycles and scooters left undisturbed in racks for one calendar year may be treated as abandoned. Public Safety will attempt to notify the owner prior to impounding.
Owners may claim impounded bicycles and scooters by calling Public Safety at ext. 3666. You will be expected to provide your name, your student/employee ID number, a description of the bicycle or scooter and the date you noticed it missing. Any bicycle or scooter not claimed within 30 days will become property of Public Safety and subject to sale at an annual bicycle sale or disposed of at the discretion of Public Safety.
Electric–Scooters (E-Scooters or Scooters) are a fast, fun way to get around campus. To keep our halls safe and accessible to all, make sure to operate and store these devices outside.
Scooters should not be driven in any St Olaf buildings and may not be stored in classrooms, auditoriums, and laboratories. These devices are also not allowed in elevators or residence halls.
Devices necessary for accessibility such as wheelchairs, including motorized chairs, and other personal mobility aids used by individuals with disabilities are exempt from this rule.